Nadine Mary Agnes Gazeley

It is from a massive hole in our hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Nadine ‘Deanie’ Gazeley in the early morning of August 30, 2021, her husband at her side, after a short but challenging illness.

Born Nadine Mary Agnes Gilberg in Abbotsford, BC on August 12, 1944, ‘Deanie’ grew up among the farms, fields and mountains of the Fraser Valley with older brother Gordon, sister Sylvia, and myriad cousins, friends, aunts and uncles.

She attended Matsqui Elementary School, then Clayburn Middle School, graduating in 1962 from Abbotsford Senior High and almost immediately accepting a position at the office of Dr. Bernard G. Barkman in Abbotsford, a long time Fraser Valley family physician she still spoke of so fondly many, many years later.

In 1964, she met her future husband (baby blue ’57 Chevy and all) at a local outdoor store her father frequented. She and Howard Frederick Gazeley married on December 30, 1966, embarking on a life together from a home purchased from his grandparents, Guy McCauley & Mary Elizabeth Gazeley, in the rural surrounds of Clay Road in Mission. Two children, Victoria Lise (born 1968) and Ian Frederick (born 1970), were born while here, rounding out their new life and adding to the many dogs, chickens, grumpy cat, and a particularly sweet but dangerously ‘playful’ goat with the moniker Madame Butterfly. In 1974, a career opportunity led the family to a brand new house in a brand new subdivision in Langdale (where they resided to this day). It was here they raised their children and became an integral part of their Sunshine Coast community.

Committed to being home for her children as they grew, she was especially known for the delicious home-made bread and German deli sandwiches that were very popular with the kids at school… “Can I have a bite?” “Another bite?” Not to mention all the hot lunches of hamburgers, grilled cheese and mac and cheese she provided for many. Then there were the countless cakes and Nanaimo bars (she was a master at Nanaimo bars) prepared for the ubiquitous Langdale School ‘cake walks’ and bake sales. After her children graduated from high school and embarked on their own adventures, she went on to hold a handful of retail positions, before completing the Home Support & Resident Care Attendant Program training at Capilano College (University), graduating in 2002 with a 4.2 GPA. Smart cookie.

If asked, we think she would have defined her most important roles as committed mom to her children, doting ‘Babcia’ to her grandson, solid rock to her closest friends and relatives, and loving guardian to many dogs over the years: Pal, Gnarfie, Juke, Chrissy, Brynn, Gunnar, Katy and most recently Cali, who came to them as a rescue in very unique circumstances, and is as sweet and sensitive as they come – to the point where Nadine swore that Cali was some member of the family, reincarnated; the connection was that immediate. And of course, steadfast partner to her husband of 54 years, Fred.

Nadine had a huge heart, and a soft spot for the ‘underdog’, human or other. Regularly offering rides to those who looked like they could use a lift, financial, ‘goods’ or in-person assistance to those who were struggling, and emotional support to individuals who, for their own reasons, refused the first two. She was humble – to a fault – always placing others before her own needs, and was a fierce defender of those she loved, even when they were possibly in the wrong. Always there when needed, she had our backs, without fail. She also made a mean traditional bacon and saurkraut pieroghy, was fiercely proud of her Swedish and Polish ancestry, and had a majestic mountain peak named for her (Mt. Bardean in the Chehalis range in southwestern BC).

One of her superpowers was finding the exact thing at the second-hand store that you were looking for right when you needed it – oftentimes even before you asked (it was uncanny). The other was the level of care she showered on everyone she loved. There was nothing like it, and those she touched will carry that with them forever. She never missed a birthday or special occasion, and always had a card or gift or pre-made meal at the ready. She loved geneology and spent hundreds, maybe thousands, of hours researching, then creating beautiful scrapbook family albums of photos and keepsakes for so many of us. Treasures and treasured…

Nadine leaves behind her loving husband, Fred, daughter Victoria of Gibsons, son Ian (Debra) of Lethbridge, AB, and grandson Jonah. Passing before her were her beloved mother, Agnes Victoria Gilberg (Prasloski) in 1968, father Ragnard Walter Sigvard Gilberg in 1984, sister Sylvia Anne Gilberg in 2013 and brother Gordon Gilberg in 2016, as well as so many very dear friends, new and old, aunts, uncles and cousins who were such a huge part of her life and who she loved dearly.

Profound thanks to Dr. Corrie Belgraver for her above and beyond support (Nadine felt very much held in your care), the palliative care nurses at Coastal Health, Coast Ability for being there with everything we needed when we needed it, all of the paramedics, nurses, and doctors who provided such compassionate care to Nadine the last few months, and finally, to Micheline at Devlin Funeral Home for her gentle demeanor and thoughtful attention. You are appreciated beyond words.

At her request, there will be no formal service. In celebration of Nadine’s life and love of animals, if you feel inclined, please bless your favorite non-profit organization that benefits ‘critters’ with a donation in her name.

We will remember her every day, through all of the beautiful things and moments she brought into our lives… we are blessed to have known her.

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